Guest editorial | Bill critical to child care

Wednesday

Oct 2, 2013 at 9:37 AM

Last week the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee held an executive session to consider the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act (CCDBG) of 2013, the primary federal grant program that provides child care assistance for families and funds child care quality initiatives. The Senate HELP Committee approved passage of the bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) and co-sponsored by Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC), Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), and Senator Lamar Alexander (RTN) by voice vote.Chairman Tom Harkin said it best, "Child care is a critical support for virtually every working parent, and this bipartisan bill will enhance quality and safety, ensure that low-income and at-risk children and families have access to affordable care, promote the healthy development of children enrolled, and improve services for children with disabilities who require care. This is a bill that reflects input from members of our Committee on both sides of the aisle, and I am pleased that the HELP Committee has moved forward on this critical bill."This measure passed by the Senate HELP Committee would reauthorize the Child Care and Development Block Grant for the first time since 1996 which includes some significant changes to the quality measures. The bi-partisan bill that was passed by the committee would require child care providers to undergo comprehensive background checks, receive orientation training and ongoing professional development, and be subject to initial and annual inspections. Though the fall schedule for the Senate is crowded by several pressing policy issues, the Senators of the HELP Committee are determined to bring this to the Senate Floor for consideration.Hopefully, if the Senate can pass legislation this fall, the House will review the Senate bill and pass something along the same lines. Child care should not be a partisan issue. After 17 years without a reauthorization, hopefully the bipartisan progress in the Senate will carry over to the House. Children should be safe in child care. They should be in a setting that promotes their healthy development. If any issue is ripe for bipartisan action, it's child care.